Sealing assembly



Nov. 13, 1951 L. G. SAYWELL SEALING ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 6, 1947 FIE E INVENTOR W Z a 6 M 7 ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 13, 1951 UNITED STATES;

SEALI'NG ASSEMBLX Lawrence- G; Sayw'ell San Mateo," Calif-2, assignorto- Saywell Associates, Calib a joint venture South San Francisco,

/ This invention relates generally 'tQ- deVices-in tended to'be'insertedin-to an'an-nularspacebe tween *o'uter'and inner concentric parts-to providearfiu'id tight seal.

In "providing aseal 'betweeninner and outerconcentrie parts,- it-isfrequently necessary to" withstand --cons'iderablefiuidpressure-* For example bearingsadaptedto be submerged inwater s'hould'be provided n'rith-sealing'meanscapable-- I ofpreventing' 'oil-leakage and preventing-enl0 comprises finnerand outerstruetures having ele- 25 men-ts overlapping relation, thereby providmg-a plurality of engaged annular sealing areas In -genera1 however such bearing- -seals are desig ned primarilyxto retain the oil or grease of a bearing, and do not provide for relieving abnor-- ma'l il press'uree i 30 Itis -an obj ect of th'e present invention to pro- I vide anovel'device for sealing between inner and" outer concentric parts which will withstand substantial fiuid pressure applied to one side of the device; and permit escape of fluid such assa lubricant applied t'o the other side ,of the-devicewhen the pressure of 'the same isabnormal:

Another object of the invention is to provide-a bearing seal which will facilitates.lflushingzthe bearing with grease or like lubricant; withoutinijury to thesealing .d'evice. 1;

Another object-of the invention issto provide; animproved sealing deviceof the-atype disclosed;- and claimed in my co-pending application- Sea rial No. 618,729, andwhichrhas-noveldcharacter is'tics with respect to resistingexternal fluid pressures.

"Additional objects of the invention 7 will apepearfrom' the-followingdescri-ption in which the preferred embodiments have been: set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying; drawing. v

,Referring totheldrawing;

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly 55 -5 Claims. (Cl. 277-542) z t section;- showing' a device madein-- accordance-- with the present invention appliedto seal betweeninnerandputereoncentricparts;

Figure ZiS-anenlarged sectional detail toil-lus- Y tra t'e the constructionmf the seal incorporated Figure 1;

Figure 3=is a-half side v-iew'of the sealing-devied incorporated in Figured, and docking-toward the right; 7

' Figure i is --likewise a half 'side --viewof the de'-. vice; but lookingtoward- -thele'ft: as ---viewed in- Figured; r

Figurefi i's a-w iewdikesEigure- 2 butillustrating anotherembod-iment-o=tlre'=devicel Figure- 6 is a-view-like Figure- 2and'-illustratingarm-rarer embodiment.

Figure is -a' view like Figure 2 and-illustratingano'therembodiment: Y

In-Fi'g-ure '1 there is shown a shat t 1 H3 or -l'ike inner part which is concentriwwi-th --respect -to the outer:- -part--- I l 'Theannular-space-betweenthese-parts isseale'd-by- -the assembly or-device l3.

=I-n-that formof' the dev-ice'l 3 illustratedin Figu-res '2 'to-4- inclusive, inner an'douter "structures are'provided which include-elements in overlap ping -and sealingrelation The' inner structure includes the annuluses 1 4 and- 1 and-"the outerstructure"theannuluses 1 "and-I 8:- In that form-2 of the invention-being deseribedeailof -the annuluses-are formed of "relatively thin --flexible sheet metal; For example they can beformedof suitable-spring'metal ormetal alloys such-as high-- carbon steel ,--phosp hor bronze orone or more or the so called stainless steels: The thic'kness of these annuluses -mayy-for example; be ,of -the' -ordeli" 'Of 01093 inch:

'fThe-innerannuluses l4 and 1 6*;are carried by the-mounting, ring 21 andthe "outer annuluses by-the*r'ing "2. Ring; -2l isprovided with a flange or shoulder 2'3"on*which theparts are-assembled. The inner per'ipheries of j'tfh'e annuluses, 14" and J I6" are separated. by ,'the spa-cell ringfl'fly and 1a n nsr sfi v n arre ts .fit upon t n 21; serves to retain thfG .P'flrtsin assembled rela 1 tion. 'Ring '22"similarlyjhas a shoulder 21; andthe partsva're assemb e to ether. with:th rr n gflandthie ret in is s 2 Ri 'zt ndi. 22 are. prop'o'rtioned. to hav press or force fluid: tightfitbn thegsh'a ftiand within the boreof the, housin and in. their final "position n ,it ,is'cdesin able' thatthey abut lq'cnatinsr houlde sij isnosedi ina ommon mane-.2 I

jTh'e' annu usesarei rgnbrtionedi whereb 7 13 --v nuluse.-. .c uoverlapnn theQssallifigIfifi 3|, and annulus'e's l6 and "l8'overlap'on'the sea1'-- that the sealing area 32i's of airaldius .considerably less than the radius of sealing area 3!.

Actually the proportioning of the annuluses is 1. such that when viewing the parts from the left as in Figure 2, the exposed effective fluid pressure area of annulus I4, extending inwardly of the area 31', is considerably more'than' the fluid pressure area presented by the annulus l1. As

eludes the annuluses 38 and 39. Annuluses 36 and 31 are assembled upon the mounting ring 4! together with the spacer ring 42, and the retaining ring 43. Annuluses 38 and 39 are likewise assembled upon the mounting ring 48, together with the spacer ring 4'5, and the retaining ring 41. The annuluses have overlapping portions forming sealingareas 48 and 49, which are preloaded to form the desired seal. In this instance the annuluses 37 and 38 are made of relatively the overlapping portions being arranged as illus- '.,trated in Figure 5, fluid pressure will be resisted viewed from the right however the effective fluid. 7

sure area presented by annulus Hi. This relationship can be better understoodby reference to Figures 3 and 4:

Assuming that my device installed to seal about a rotating shaft at a point adjacent a bearing, the bearing for example would be on the right side of the seal as illustrated in Figure 2. It may be assumed that the left side is exposed to fluid pressure which may considerably exceed atmospheric. With a reasonable and adequate degree of loading between the areas 3| and 32, these areas will effectively serve to prevent leakage of oil from the right hand side ,of the device. A considerable fluid pressure may be exerted upon the left hand side of the device without permitting leakage of fluid into the bearing. Actually as fluid pressure is applied to the left hand side of the device, the loading upon the sealing area 3| will be increased, because annulus l4 presents a greater effective fluid pressure area than the annulus 11. Therefore the device will withstand fluid pressure applied to the left hand side until mechanical failure occurs. Assuming however that temporary excessive or abnormal pressure is applied to the right hand side of the device, due for example to application of excessive oil or grease to the bearing, theloading upon the sealing area 32 is reduced, and sufiicient pressure will cause the overlapping surfaces forming this area to be separated. This is because the annulus 18 has considerably greater effective fluid pressure area than the annulus It. The fluid thus finding its way between the annuluses, l4 and ll applies pressure to the right hand side of the larger annulus I4, and as a result annuluses I4 and I! are likewise separated to permit the escape of fluid. Thus it is evident that the device just described is capable of withstanding considerable pressure upon one side of the same but will relieve fluid pressure applied from the other side, when this pressure exceedsa value sufficient to separate the overlapping portions'of the annuluses. When using the device with a hearing it is evident that such excessive fluid pressure may occasionally be applied to the device, particularly when oil ornuluses 36 and 3'l, and the outer structure in when applied to the right hand side of the assembly, and when applied to the left hand side the overlapping portions will tend to be separated, thus permitting the reliefof pressure.

The embodiment of the device illustrated in Figure 6 is in some respects similar to Figure 2, butadditional means is provided to aid resisting higher fluid pressures. Thus in this instance the inner structure includes the annuluses 5| and 52 corresponding to the annuluses l4 and I6, and which cooperate with the annuluses 53 and 54 of the outer structure. The inner structure also includes the mounting rings 55, spacer ring 51 and retaining ring 58. The outer structure simi larly includes the mounting ring.59, spacer ring.

66 and retaining ring 6|. The sealing areas 62 and 63 are formed in substantially the same manner as inFigure 1. Loosely disposed between the cooperating annuluses, there is a relatively rigid annular member 64. Normallythis member does not interfere with flow of fluid through the seal because of its relatively rough surface. However, apertures 66 can be provided to insure flow.

and 54 are flexed to the left until reinforced by engagement with the stiffening member 64. However, when fluid pressure is applied to the left hand side of the device, the overlapping portions are caused to be separated, thus permitting the venting of fluid through the device, and about the member 64, or through the apertures 66 provided in the same.

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the invention in which the annular sealing areas may be-of the same diameter. sealing assembly is mounted within; the annular recess H formedbetween the shaft 12 and the housing 13. The mounting rings 14 and 16, of the assembly are positioned in abutting relationship with the end shoulders of the ballbearing races '11 and 18.

The outer structure of the assembly includes the thinmetal annuluses 19 which are substantially the same diameter.. The inner structure includes the annuluses 8| which are likewise 0f the same diameter and which have their outer peripheral edges in overlapping sealing contact with the inner peripheral edges of annuluses l9, thusforming the annular sealing areas 82. The.

mounting of the annuluses is such that when positioned as illustrated a certain amountof offsetting isapplied in a direction longitudinally.

of the shaft axis, thereby laterally stressing the annuluses and urging the interleaved edge por tions in sealing engagement. Such offsetting can be increased by relative proportioning of rings I4 and 16 or by the use of a spacer between the In this instance the.

flange on ring afidtheadjacent onef annu- 1uses18l-a,

Normallythenassembly of :Figure '7 serves to preventaleakagerof r oil from; theebearing: However; if excessive oil or grease; pressure isa-aphlied the-pressure of the same upon thelargeraannue luses the sealing areas 82 to be-;separate'd, thus permitting-the relief of :abnor-mat. pressure-Ltd getheriwithflushing of the bearing. Fluid: pres-- surezagainstzthe left hand side ofjthe assembly urges the overlapping portions into tighter engagement and thus such pressure is resisted to the point of mechanical failure.

It is evident that my sealing assembly has many uses in various machines and mechanical appliances. It is particularly useful in the sealing of bearings which may be submerged in water. It is desirable to seal such bearings in such a manner that the seal will vent lubricant in the event abnormal pressure is applied during lubrication. At the same time the seal should be such as to effectively resist external fluid pressure during submersion, thus preventing water or like liquid from entering the hearing.

I claim:

1. A sealing device for establishing a fluid tight seal between relatively rotatable inner and outer parts having an annular space therebetween for receiving said sealing device, said sealing device comprising an outer sealing structure adapted to be carried by said outer part in fluid tight relation therewith and extending radially inwardly into said space, an inner sealing structure adapted to be carried by said inner part in fluid tight rela tion therewith and extending radially outwardly into said space, each of said structures including at least two annular sealing elements, each elcment of one structure having overlapping and sealing engagement, with a sealing element of the other structure, the overlapping sealing area on one side of the assembly being on such a radius that the exterior face of the corresponding inner element presents an eflective fluid pressure area substantially greater than the effective fluid pressure area presented by the exterior face of the engaged outer element, and the sealing area on the other side of the assembly being on such a radius that the effective fluid pressure area presented by the exposed exterior face or" the corresponding outer element is substantially greater than the exterior face of the corresponding inner element, each of the elements which present the greater fluid pressure areas being stressed in the same direction longitudinally of the axis of the device.

2. A sealing device for establishing a fluid tight seal between relatively rotatable inner and outer parts having an annular space therebetween for receiving said sealing device, said sealing device than the fl u-id pressure area presented: by: we cooperating eleme'nt extending outwardly --f-rorn thesealing area, and the overlap being arranged wherebypressure applied to said side of rue-sear; tendsto separate the surfaces from sealingen gag'ement, and so that on the-other side of tl ie dev'ide the se'alingelement extending outwardlyfrom the sealing area is dimensionedto presenta greater fluid pressure area thantheco'operating element extending inwardly'fr'om the sealing area, and the overlap on that side being arranged whereby fluid pressure applied to said side of the device tends to I urge: thesealing areas together and whereby fluid pressure exerted betweenz -the; two sets of annuluses tends to urge the latter sealing areas apart.

3. A sealing device for establishing a fluid tight seal between relatively rotatable inner and outer parts having an annular space therebetween for comprising an outer sealing structure adapted ".17-

to be carried by said outer part in fluid tight relation therewith and extending radially inwardly into said space, an inner sealing structure adapted to be carried by said inner part in fluid tight relation therewith and extending radially outwardly into said space, each of said structures including at least two annular sealing elements formed of relatively thin flexible metal, each element of one structure having an edge of the same in overlapping sealing engagement with an edge portion of a sealing element of the other structure, the two sealing areas being on different radii, so that on one side of the device the eflective fluid pressure area presented by an element receiving said sealing device, said sealing device comprising an outer sealing structure adapted to be carried by said outer part in fluid tight relation therewith and extending radially inwardly into said space, an inner sealing structure adapted to be carried by said inner part in fluid tight relation therewith and extending radially outwardly into said space, said structures forming at least two pairs of flexible annuluses disposed in substantially parallel relation and with space therebetween, the elements of each pair being in overlapping relation on an annular sealing area, one annulus of each pair presenting efiective fluid pressure areas on each side of the same which are substantially greater than the corresponding effective fluid pressure areas of the other annulus, each of said one annulus of each pair being stressed in the same general direction longitudinally of the axis of the device and the overlap between annuluses of one pair being arranged whereby fluid pressure applied to one side of the assembly serves to urge the annuluses exposed on that side into tighter overlapping engagement, the other pair of annuluses being overlapped in such a manner that fluid pressure applied to that side of the assembly serves to separate the exposed annuluses from engagement.

4. A sealing device as in claim 3 together with an additional annulus disposed in said space and dimensioned to intervene between said overlap sealing areas.

5. A sealing device for establishing a fluid tight seal between relatively rotatable inner and outer parts having an annular space therebetween for receiving said sealing device, said sealing device comprising an outer sealing structure adapted to be carried by said outer part in fluid tight relation therewith and extending radially inwardly into said space, an inner sealing structure adapted to be carried by said inner part in fluid tight relation therewith and extending radially outwardly into said space, such structures forming at least two pairs of annuluses disposed in substantially parallel relation and with a space therebetween, the elements of each pair being in M; overlap sealing relation on an annular sealing area, one annulus of each pair being formed of relatively thin spring metal stressed laterally within its elastic limit, said one spring metal annulus of each pair presenting effective fluid pressure areas on each side of the same which are substantially greater than the corresponding efiective fluid pressure areas of the other annulus, each of said one spring metal annulus of each pair being stressed in the same general direction extending inwardly of the sealing area is greater longitudinally of the axis of the device and the oy'erlap between annuluses of one pair being arranged-whereby fluid pressure applied to one side of the assembly serves to urge the annuluses ex-. posed on that side in a tighter overlapping engagement, the other pair of annuluses being overlapped in such a manner that fluid pressure applied to that side of the assembly serves to separate the annuluses exposed on that side from sealing engagement.

' LAWRENCE G. SAYWELLV REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Cameron Dec. 15,- 1874 Wankel Jan. 25,1910; Hodgkinson Apr. 26, 1927:: Bragg May 5, 1931; Larsh Jan. 24, 1933 i Basebe et a1 Mar. 28, 19391 Delaval crow July 29, 1941:.

Saywell Sept. 30, 1947 

